Augmented Reality
This technology provides us with additional information in a comfortable and easy-to-understand manner about the workplace in real-time.
Objective: Show the operator the position in which to place the pieces
Our client, a large manufacturer of automotive composite pieces, wants to show its operators where to place the parts on the press mould in a sequential manner. The current system consists of an instruction manual on a TV screen with assembly diagrams that the operator has to consult for the different references. The objective is ambitious, since we want to project the shapes of the parts directly onto the press mould to facilitate the placement of the parts and reduce the number of poorly formed parts.
Solution: A fixed projector connected to the plant management system
The first step was to collecting the requirements, spaces, distances, cycle time, models and cases. It was necessary to know the operations and steps of each reference for correct positioning on the press mold.
Then, we began with the definition and design of the equipment. We selected the industrial projector that covers the work area of the press mold and projects the necessary information in each case. In this case, we designed a special anchoring structure to the wall due to the large dimensions and weight of the projector to cover the entire area of the mold taking into account the installation height.
We also selected the industrial computer that manages the projections and communications with the plant management system, which controls it to turn the projector on/off, change the press reference, know the status and have feedback on the projection.
A key point was the development of the interface, not only for the current references, but so that in the future the client would be able to incorporate new projections and new steps for each reference. At this point we were able to begin with the development of the pattern creation algorithm for the assembly sequences.
We then installed and integrated the system at the client’s factory so we begin the rest of the programming. This is where we developed the SQL database communications between all the elements of the system and the client’s internal system.
The final step consisted of testing and validation by our client of the references we had integrated and training on the system and the algorithm developed.
